Jordan Sends Ambassador to Iraq

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Jordan has become the first Arab state to send a fully accredited ambassador to Iraq, a major display of political support for the U.S.-backed government in the face of past kidnapping-slayings of Muslim diplomats.

The United States has long urged Iraq's Arab neighbors to upgrade diplomatic relations to the ambassadorial level, rather than maintain missions headed by lesser-ranking diplomats, as an affirmation of support.

But the Arabs had been stalling due to violence and concern over the Shiite-led government's dealings with the Sunni minority, which forms the foundation of Iraq's insurgency, and the government's ties to Shiite-dominated Iran.

Most Arab governments are led by Sunnis; the majority of Iraqis are Shiite.

Ambassador Ahmed al-Lozi presented his credentials Thursday to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, a presidential statement said Friday. The German ambassador also presented his credentials.

Al-Lozi came to Baghdad with Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit, who arrived Tuesday for a three-day visit.

Egypt agreed last year to send an ambassador, Ihab al-Sherif, but he was kidnapped in July 2005 and assassinated before presenting his credentials. Two Algerian diplomats were kidnapped in the same month and killed.

In October 2005, two Moroccan Embassy workers were abducted and killed. Two months later, Sudan closed its embassy in return for the release of six embassy employees who had been kidnapped.

Al-Qaida in Iraq claimed responsibility for all the kidnappings and killing, and warned Arab and Muslim countries against establishing relations with Iraq's Shiite-dominated government.

In March, however, Arab countries agreed to open diplomatic missions in Iraq after scathing criticism by Iraq's foreign minister that they are not doing enough to help the wartorn nation.

Also Friday, the government ordered a two-day vehicle ban in the capital to guard against car bombs during weekend rallies commemorating the death of an 8th-century Shiite saint.

Seven Shiite pilgrims were shot dead late Friday as they walked through a Sunni neighborhood en route to the rally site, police said.